My family is trying to buy a car for my dad. Our budget is about $30k.

He's about 50 now, so we were thinking Acura TL, but I remember reading on here that some have test drove both TL and TSX.. then went for the TSX.

If anyone on here test drove both or considered both, why did you not choose TL?

 

The TSX handles alil better and feels more nimble. TL is a nice ride also, but there is a lil torque steer. For your dad the TL would be a great choice. It is alil bigger, and nice city or highway cruiser.

 

the most important question is, will it be an auto or manual? if manual get the TSX, if auto get a TL.

 

cool, thanks guys. I'll make sure to mention that. If he says.. no luxury.. he wants hybrid.. woohoo.. looks like I'll have money to buy my TSX!

 

here's the reasons:

-the TL has bad FWD torque oversteer
-the TL is made in Ohio not made in Japan like the TSX
-the TL is about almost $7,000 more than a TSX
-the TL's handling isn't as great as the TSX

 

50 yr old dad = TL

 

Second one is the major reason why I got TSX over TL.

 

Yeah..at that age...I think a TL would be more suited for him.. The new RL would be better

 

I've struggled between the two cars for awhile (test driven 6 speeds of both models) and have landed on the TSX for a couple reasons. I think the TSX handling is a little more nimble than the TL. I like the compactness of the TSX better. Though the TL has a more accommodating back seat, I will use it rarely if ever. Another thing that gets me, the TL lacks the folding rear seat, which I would use. It's a nice car, but I've got to live with it every day, and I can't see spending $30K+ on a car that provides me less utility than that which I have now. However, for a 50 year old man, I'd think the TL would be a better option, more a comfortable cruiser or something along those lines. To address a point made above, I think alot of people out there feel like if you don't live within 50 miles of either coast in this country, you're an illiterate inbred redneck hilljack who can't do anything well, let alone build a good car. My current Honda was built in East Liberty and has given me no problems. I guess my thing is, I might say "I would never buy model x, regardless of where it was built", but I would be doing so because I think it comes down to the manufacturer of model x not putting a high enough priority on quality and reliability. Would you buy a Mitsubishi over an Accord, Camry, TL, etc, because the Mitsubishi is built in Japan?

 

At THAT age, RIGHT, the average age of a Porsche 911 buyer is 52 and the average age of a Harley-Davidson buyer is 46.

Dad should act more his age and buy an NSX.

Seriously, the TSX does everything I need a car to do and a little bit more. Under Bob Shiftright's Rule of Incrementalism if I don't draw the line somewhere, I'll be using a 911 (or a Harley) as a daily driver. And if I do that, I'll likely lose my driver's license, die, or both.

 

Well...I'd say go with the TL. While styling is subjective, I think the TL has a much more aggressive exterior and a more luxurious interior. It's also a much more powerful car...but it's necessary for the added bulk of the TL. The interior space is down right cavernous and would be good for hauling around extra friends. It handles well...but probably not as well as the TSX.

The TL has an AMAZING sound system--it's very cool to hear specific instruments coming from specific speakers. The sound quality is unbelievable. The bluetooth enabled handsfree phone system has to be the ultimate in convenience. The real aluminum trim is cool to the touch...giving a feel of solidity. Supple leather covers every part you frequently touch.

My favorite part about the TL is that it provokes emotions. Never before has an Acura done that. The carefully sculpted lines and all the materials within the TL stir something within. But at the same time, it is able to be a sensible choice because it has Honda reliability. It's the best of both worlds. The TSX has some emotion...but just not as much as the TL.

Does your dad want more luxury than sport? Does your dad take friends out to dinner or go to events with friends? Is your dad a power junky? Is your dad a techno-wizard? Does your dad want the most features for the money? Go with the TL.

 

Breaking down money for money, both the TSX and TL are equally at its efficient peak. Both are a great package, both are great cars, and most importantly, both are worth every penny.

The biggest difference would be only the engine.

So if my budget was 30k, I would get a TSX w/navi.

 

To all you who think a fifty year old man can't handle a TSX; I am sixty-six and I can out drive and out love most of you young whippersnappers. And that is without Viagra, alcohol or any other drugs. I love my TSX and never considered the TL or RL. The only things I have stronger feelins for are my wife and kids. By the way, don't get up-tight over my tirade, I'm only pulling your chain. I really am sixty-six and am probably the oldest TSX owner but I feel twenty-six.

geonaz

 

If he can only afford the TSX go with the TSX. If he can spend a few thousand more, go with the TL. If he can afford a "few" more thousand than that, get the BMW 5-series.

In most cases....ahem....you get what you pay for.

Just my 2 cents.

 

actually, i apologize for stereotyping. Test drive both and whichever your dad likes best is the car he should get.

 

Being built in America means Acura can pack more into the car for less money, no import costs and considering Honda ranked above Acura in initial quality, American Honda manufacturing plants are obviously doing things better than or at the very least equal to the japanese plants. Haha, the Tl has torque steer cause it has a powerhouse engine, its more expensive cause it has more features, and the tl's handling against the tsx has never be tested nor proven. Tell him to buy the car he likes, its his car after all.

 

Being built in America means Acura can pack more into the car for less money, no import costs and considering Honda ranked above Acura in initial quality, American Honda manufacturing plants are obviously doing things better than or at the very least equal to the japanese plants. Haha, the Tl has torque steer cause it has a powerhouse engine, its more expensive cause it has more features, and the tl's handling against the tsx has never be tested nor proven. Tell him to buy the car he likes, its his car after all.

 

Your understanding of the TSX buyer stats is spot-on. From what I've read of the TSX it was aimed at the sub-30 market and from the buyer demographics Honda hit the mark.

OP might ask the original question over at the TL board.

http://www.acura-tl.com/

Interresting scanning the posts there on the TL board, the TL owners seem to have their own array of QC issues.

I have never needed Viagra nor alcohol to drive my TSX.

 

I had an '04 TL (automatic) with 3000 miles on it as a loaner for almost a week.

At first, I really didn't like it. It felt really big and clumsy. Tons of rattles. Stereo, although more technical features, didn't sound as dynamic as my TSX.

But then, after about 3 days, it grew on me. The power was awesome. You get used to the size. Rattles could be fixed (why they don't fix them on loaners, I have NO IDEA???) XM radio was pretty cool.

The TL feels like a tank compared to the TSX. A very fast and competent tank.

It really comes down to what do you like. If you like high reving, light on feet feel, then go with the TSX. If you like power and solid stability, go with the TL.

 

how come there are transmissions problems of the 99-03 TL's? They were the ones made in Ohio

 

age should have nothing to do with your choice. your choice should reflect a balance between your needs and your wants.

i test drove both wanting to get the TL originally. i'm 25, but the TL was actually a little too powerful for me (i really can't afford any tickets with the insurance rates that i have to deal with); i'd be tempted to throttle it way to often. but the fact that the TSX was a "true" import and that production is limited sold it for me. my brother has a tl and it's a great car, but i wanted something more uncommon or rare. i thought i'd get something a little different and i liked the tsx just as much after the test drive.

the main thing is, have HIM test drive both and pick which one he likes best. of course, i really doubt he'd be disappointed with either of them.

 

Honda usa workers put together components to their designed specs, they aren't engineers, they are laborers. Honda designed the transmission using their engineering department, which being a global company means that the engineering department has access to all the knowledge of even the most advanced transmission engineers within the company. Honda's workers then built said transmission to said specs set by the engineering department. Thinking something different would have happened by hand of a Japanese laborer is retarded.

 

i just always assumed that japanese workers have better quality workmanship, quality standards, and build quality in japanese made cars vs. USA made cars.
my aunt has a 91 prelude that is made in japan and is still working and going strong at 200K miles.

 

Plus the better resale value$$$$$$$$

 

i think the TSX has better designed proportions outside and the interior is better looking. the TL's front overhangs are too long...

 

OHIO cars are as reliable and lasting as from Japan.

TSX from Japan have rattles. My 80000 miles Accord from Ohio does not.

 

The loaner TL that I had for almost a week, had at least 4 different rattles. One so major, I almost was going to take it back for Warranty work.

Seriously though, it realy did rattle pretty bad. A little worse than my TSX. Both of which rattle more than most cars I have owned, one even being a convertible Mustang.

Talk about sad. My Convert. Stang has less rattles than Acura's. They really need to address this.....................

 

what yr is your stang? is it the GT or the cobra?

of course those stangs are made in good old blue collar detroit, michigan

 

i see soo many TLs all over the place. but i don't see that many TSXs . this makes me like my TSX more everday.

 

I really need to test drive the TL ... I get my speaker buzz fixed tomorrow so I think I am gonna bug my salesman pal to hook me up with some keys to a 6MT TL to run around in for a while as I wait

 

Uh oh...I smell 06 TL rolling around in Prov's head allready..

 

 

2002 GT. I bought it as a toy / weekend car. The Stang is a polar opposite to the TSX. Is is crude, loud, rough, etc... But everytime I drive it I get a big grin on my face.

I have swore up and down to all my family that the imports are made so much better than the domestics, just to have to eat my words.

My 2002 GT Stang has never been back to the shop. Never. Not one problem or rattle, etc...

The TSX has now been back 3 major times in 6 months.

I still love the engineering in the TSX. Tight gaps, great balance, great seats, etc... but the initial build quality and reliability are now becomming suspect.